Towels/shirt to wrap the bottles in to they don't clang and break in your bags

Garbage bags to clean up your party mess

Protection [NO CON BABIES!]

* = Rule of thumb have on extra packed for everyday you are attending

**Women AND Men need to have make-up packed. Have face powder to stop the shine or concealer to hide a face scar if you don't want it to show.

*** TWO sources. Don't carry all of your cash on you. the hotel has a safe in your room, use it! Carry 1/2 your daily spending on you. You might get a hole in your pocket or you drop it, you don't want to leave yourself screwed. Have a debit card or a credit card [even if it is your parents, ask for premission to hold onto first] IN CASE OF EMERGENCY don't leave yourself stranded.

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I find everyone is different, but I guess this list isn't really set in stone. I find my list is so much shorter and as for two sources of income, if youre responsible you can curb check your spending. I spent maybe around 130-140 on merchandise and about 20-30 on food. A total of about 150-170.

Really it boils down to responsibility and tight fisted management.

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Guest SongstressLenne*

Guest SongstressLenne

I find everyone is different, but I guess this list isn't really set in stone. I find my list is so much shorter and as for two sources of income, if youre responsible you can curb check your spending. I spent maybe around 130-140 on merchandise and about 20-30 on food. A total of about 150-170.

Really it boils down to responsibility and tight fisted management.

Yes money management is the key. It's just a habit I have when spending at cons, 1/2 cash 1/2 card. Keep a large portion in the safe and take what I need when I need it.

Also it the list is really geared toward people staying the whole weekend/people going out of state/really forgetful people that want to have a general checklist of anything possibly needed.

I actually use it ^^

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I find everyone is different, but I guess this list isn't really set in stone. I find my list is so much shorter and as for two sources of income, if youre responsible you can curb check your spending. I spent maybe around 130-140 on merchandise and about 20-30 on food. A total of about 150-170.

Really it boils down to responsibility and tight fisted management.

I do pretty much what SongstressLenne does. With money I know before hand how much cash in total I am bringing (roughly 300 dollars). I'll keep a spare 100 in a special place that I will not be tempted to get at and that money will not be spent at all throughout ACen. Then with the 200 dollars I take out 50 for food for the weekend for myself and have that 150 to go crazy and buy whatever I want with. I also have my debit card which will be used after that special 100 is gone so its only used when I absolutely need it. I give myself room to move with my money but keep it on track.

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While the thought of having an actual servant to provide bandages is amusing...

Mini first aid kid should probably be kit. ;)

Also, I like to group like items: for instance, laptop, laptop charger or camera, camera battery, camera memory card etc That way I'm reminded to pile them together when packing them, since one is often no good without the other, and I don't want to have to dump out every bag looking for a part.

Yes, going anywhere more than a 2 hour drive requires a LIST! It's also great for RE-packing to leave... there's nothing worse than realizing something was left in the hotel room when you're 3 hours away.

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Agreed, I usually make a re-pack list so as not to forget any thing. Maybe I missed it, but what about regular clothes, not just to keep warm, for the on a budget, bring a coffee maker for large groups or just to heat water for noodles. Also for smokers & drinkers, it's cook county, so tax is bad. I'd like to add bobby pins too, for wigs.

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I live only about an hour away from the con, but trust me I've forgotten things and had to either run home or have my mom drop things off late Thursday night. Or worse not realizing I forgot something until Friday morning and then freak out.

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i think i would die if i forgot something. even though i only live 30 minutes away, my mom always makes plans the weekend i'm gone so she tells me that i can't forget anything unless i wanna take two trains home to get it because she's not planning to see me again until sunday afternoon

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You aviation industry employee and frequent flier with some notes on the list for anyone taking to the sky for ACen

Clothing:

Cosplay costume -- do not have on when you go through security

All your accessories [gloves, wig, makeup, shoes ,prop etc,etc.] -- do not carry on any prop that looks remotely like a weapon

Health Care:

Body lotion

Body Wash

Conditioner

Contact Holder/Solution

Cough drops

Deodorant -- if gel or spray

Hair Spray

Hand sanitizer

Make up**

Make up remover

Mini first aid kit -- may get you some extra attention

Perfume/Cologne

Sewing kit [needle,thread, emergency hem tape] -- may get you some extra attention

Shampoo

Shaving Cream -- yes it is a liquid

Tide stick

Toothpaste

Check any of the above if the container says an amount greater then 3.4oz. a half empty 4oz bottle can not be carried onto a plane. Also what ever 3.4oz liquid containers you carry on must if into one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.

Electronics:

Spare batteries for camera

Spare batteries for laptop

Do not check batteries, for spares not in original packaging type over the terminal with non-metallic type (electrical is best) and place in individual plastic bags.

ETC:

Febreeze -- checked only

Two sources of funds ***

government issued Photo ID -- will need to get onto the plane

Food/Drink:

An all natural juice [have something non sugary] -- would have to be checked

Bread -- I would advise against trying this in either checked or carry on

Cereal Bars -- also makes for good plane food

Chips -- I would advise against trying this in either checked or carry on

Cooler -- if you have money to burn

Energy drinks -- would have to be checked

Fruit -- not so great plane food

Fruit Snacks -- also makes for good plane food

Microwave -- if you have a lot of money to burn

Mini Fridge -- if you have a lot of money to burn

Plates - plastic

Set of metal eating utensils [plastic melts] -- for flying metal can not have sharp tips goes for forks and knives or check it

Soda -- would half to be checked

Water -- would half to be checked

Adult List:

Your liquor supply -- checked luggage only and it is a bad idea at that.

Unless you are on SWA, JBU or are a elite member of an airline you will be paying for checked luggage so pack carefully. Airlines are cracking down of the size of carry-on bags now in general the rule is one personal item (purse, computer case, other small item) and a bag with the maximum dimensions of 22" x 14" x 9".

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another thing to add to the list, even though covered under sewing kit would be hot glue gun/sticks. and elmer's glue. works amazing and not something you think about usually

with money:

-do place it in multiple pockets

-fold the money so that the lowest bill is on the outside so that it appears you aren't carrying much

-if you carry credit/debit cards write down at least the last 4 digits and phone number to contact company if card is lost/stolen

-if you don't spend large amounts on your credit card give your carrier a call letting them know where you'll be and that you will be spending money. keep your cell on you with updated phone number so they may contact you to verify

-make sure to carry your ID on you at all times

-any form of insurance, whether your own or your parents'

-if you have a cell phone update your ICE (In Case of Emergency) and have family member close to hotel(if possible), roommate/friend also attending, and next of kin

-if you have a child/young friend/family member coming along make sure that they also have your contact information as well as ICE and viseverse

-everyone please make sure to include not only your meds but also the info including dosage, amount (mg), and doctor's name

general tips/suggestions

-if you don't let housekeeping in (helps prevent any thieft) make sure to bring a room freshener

-let front desk know if anything is missing from snack bar/room. you don't wanna pay $3 for a missing water bottle, trust me

-let front desk know if you need extra towels/toiletries so that housekeeping can roll up prepared. please please don't steal things off of the trolly because that puts them behind in their job and just in general makes the people cleaning your room cranky

-if you wish, take all the bedding off the mattress and pile them on the bed, collect your trash, and throw dirty towels into the tub. this also makes life easier for the hotel staff

-shop at the dollar store before going to ACen for your toothbrushes, paste, hair care etc. It makes things easier to pack to return home. You can just throw the things away and it gives more room for the items bought at the con.

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If only we could reserve the hotel yet lol. But that list holds true and honestly I agree pajamas(sp?) should be on the list as I made that mistake when I was responsible for a room a about 4-5 years ago. I forgot everything but my toothbrush and cash and my costume. This is what happens when room mates are in a rush to get to the con. At least they had the contact lense solution so I could borrow that. But I spent 3 days in my saturn costume, taking it off only to shower. I sent out my costume to be dry cleaned and had to sit in the hotel room in a towel until it was brought back. I was not about to wear it again until it was cleaned. This was pre being able to get febreeze bottles and to be honest it was not comfortable sleeping with a bow in the back either.

Now I make sure everyone checks everyone else's lists before we leave for the con.

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It helps to remember to make a list right after the convention to see what everyone has forgotten to bring and what was never needed to be brought in the first place. Both me and my friend plan during the week of the convention to see what we need if we don't have the item(s)yet and slowly start packing so by the day before ACen starts all we do is pack a few things, meet up and check into the hotel.